An unexpected surge during the traditional peak season has given the Hong Kong office of Air Charter Service reason to cheer in what it described as a “pleasant surprise” as freight volumes moving on charters dramatically increased since early October. Stephen Fernandez, cargo manager ACS Hong Kong, explains: “We started receiving enquiries in the middle of September, but it wasn’t until early October that they started booking the flights and the market really picked up. There was, all of a sudden, a lack of availability on B747s. At first most of the freight travelled trans-Pacific over to the States, and then the European market also saw increased demand”.

“After last year’s distinct lack of peak season in the run-up to Christmas, and the general doom and gloom regarding the economy this year, this boom has come as a refreshing change,” he added. But striking a note of caution, Fernandez noted that this surge may be “a bit of a ‘faux’ peak season,” created by a capacity vacuum due to the idled freighter capacity. “Still, it’s fuelled by demand, which can only be a good thing. How much this resurgent demand is galvanised by fewer aircraft is hard to say though”. Air Charter Service said it was a record year in 2009, both in number of charters, and in revenue.